Mouth ulcers (also known as aphthous ulcers or canker sores) are shallow, painful sores inside the mouth. They appear as painful white or yellow ulcers surrounded by a bright red area. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. Nearly everyone suffers from mouth ulcers at one time or the other in their lives. Most would also agree that these insignificant-looking ulcers can cause major discomfort. For some people, the irritation and pain can be so troublesome that it tends to disrupt their daily life. Besides the pain, mouth ulcers have another troublesome feature associated with them- ‘frequent recurrence.’ These ulcers tend to occur very frequently in some people. It is a common issue with mouth ulcers that while the first lot is not fully healed, new ulcers are already on their way. Mouth ulcers (apthae) also tend to occur in crops or multiple numbers. The most common sites places where mouth ulcers appear are inside of the lips, inside of the cheeks, base of gums, under the tongue, on the palate. Ulcers on the tongue are also fairly common.
Homeopathic medicines for mouth ulcers work well to treat the ulcers quickly, and also help to prevent their recurrence. These are natural medicines for treatment of mouth ulcers that help during the acute phase of the condition in reducing pain as well as the duration of ulcers. Conventional treatment for recurrent mouth ulcers involves pain management and lowering of the healing time of the ulcer. However, conventional treatment does not cure the ulcers permanently as it usually advises using a rinse of saltwater, antiseptic liquids, baking soda or steroid to reduce the pain, but the underlying cause remains the same. This increases the tendency to develop ulcers again and again. However, homeopathic medicines for mouth ulcers work by naturally treating the cause of the problem. Homeopathy medicines help heal mouth ulcers quickly by speeding up the healing process.
Homeopathic medicines, along with healing ulcers, also assist in managing associated complaints of pain, tenderness, burning sensation, bleeding from ulcers, mouth dryness / excessive salivation. Any offensive odor from mouth is also reduced with these medicines.
Mouth ulcers can arise from various reasons and to get long-term results, that cause needs to be addressed. Homeopathic medicines always aim at treating the root cause behind recurrent mouth ulcers to give complete cure. Homeopathic medicines boost the body’s self-healing mechanism to fight with the cause to ensure natural recovery. For complete recovery in homeopathy, one needs to complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by a homeopath.
Homeopathic medicines to treat recurrent mouth ulcers is selected individually for every case at all the times. The peculiar symptoms associated with mouth ulcers serve as the key to find the correct homeopathic prescription for every case. To obtain best results, one should take any homeopathic medicine after consulting a homeopathic doctor.
As well-known, homeopathy is a natural healing science due to which it has zero side effects. Homeopathic medicines are suitable to treat recurrent mouth ulcers in persons of any age group and always offer help without worry of any sort of adverse reactions.
Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines for Mouth Ulcers
Merc Sol, Borax, Nitric Acid, Arsenic Album and Kali Iodatum are some common medicines used for treating mouth ulcers.
1. Merc Sol – Top Medicine for Mouth Ulcers
Merc Sol is a leading medicine for treating mouth ulcers and is often considered the first line of treatment for mouth ulcers. It is indicated for all kind of ulcers whether small or big and in severe cases, where the mouth is inflamed with burning aphthous ulcers with a lot of salivation. In cases needing it, flat ulcers with red, inflamed edges on the tongue and the inside of the lips and cheeks are present. The ulcers are painful too. A foul, metallic taste is felt in the mouth. Merc Sol not only hastens the healing of ulcers and reduces the pain, but it also eradicates the tendency of frequent mouth ulcers.
When to use Merc Sol?
Merc Sol is highly recommended to treat mouth ulcers with red, inflamed margins, pain, and burning sensation with increased salivation.
How to use Merc Sol?
This medicine is mainly used in 30C power once a day.
2. Borax – For Mouth Ulcers that Bleed Easily
Borax is a highly effective medicine to treat ulcers that have a tendency to bleed easily when touched, or during eating. Other key indications for borax to be used are dryness in the mouth with rapid formation of the ulcers. The ulcers appear in the mouth especially on the inner surface of the cheeks. It is also used for mouth ulcers in infants and babies.
When to use Borax?
Borax is highly recommended to manage mouth ulcers having a tendency to bleed along with dryness in the mouth.
How to use Borax?
Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with its 30C potency that can be taken one or two times a day.
3. Nitric Acid – For Mouth Ulcers with Severe Pain
Nitric Acid is a beneficial medicine for managing mouth ulcers accompanied with marked pain. The ulcers appear on the soft palate, within the cheeks and on the edges of the tongue. The pain in the ulcers is sticking type like that from a splinter. Salivation is increased and a bad odor emanates from the mouth.
When to use Nitric Acid?
This medicine is well indicated for treating mouth ulcers that are very painful with a splinter (a small sharp piece of wood or glass) like pain.
How to use Nitric Acid?
It is recommended to use this medicine once a day in 30C power.
4. Arsenic Album – For Mouth Ulcers With Burning Sensation
Arsenic Album is an important medicine to help cases of mouth ulcers when burning sensation is present. There is dryness in the mouth with intense thirst for water. Bitter, sour or metallic taste is felt in the mouth.
When to use Arsenic Album?
Arsenic Album is a very suitable medicine to treat mouth ulcers that have marked burning sensation along with dry mouth.
How to use Arsenic Album?
It can be taken in 30C potency once a day.
5. Kali Iodatum – For Mouth Ulcers With Irregular Shape And White Coating Like Milk
Kali Iodatum is a well-indicated medicine for mouth ulcers where irregular shaped ulcers appear in the mucous membrane of the mouth. The ulcers are white and appear as if coated with milk. Along with the ulcerative condition of the mouth, copious salivation, offensive mouth odor, heat in the mouth, swelling and bitterness in the mouth are some other symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.
When to use Kali Iodatum?
This medicine is of great use in treating mouth ulcers having irregular shape and white color.
How to use Kali Iodatum?
Kali Iodatum 30C can be used once a day.
Causes of Recurrent Mouth Ulcers
1. The exact cause and process of development of mouth ulcers is not known. Ulcers can be the result of a combination of conditions, like:
2. A mechanical injury caused by the sharp edges of teeth, fillings, crowns, dentures, braces or even accidental biting of the inner mouth can lead to an ulcer due to irritation. Eating rough foods or putting sharp things like pens, toothpicks or fingernails in the mouth can also cause a tear in the mucous membrane, from where an ulcer can develop.
3. Putting hot food or beverages in the mouth can cause redness inside the mouth, especially in sensitive areas like the palate or the lining of the cheeks and back of the lips and lead to an ulcer.
4. Any strong or concentrated caustic chemicals, when kept for long in the mouth, can cause a chemical trauma inside the mouth. For example, holding medicine in the mouth instead of swallowing it can create a problem if the medicine is strong. Such injuries are more common in children or people under psychiatric care.
5. A viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic contact can contribute to the growth of infection inside the mouth. A weakened immune system and a tear in the mucous membrane of the mouth can lead to the development of ulcers on the inner lining of the mouth.
6. Mouth ulcers can occur as a side effect of medications like antibiotics, painkillers, steroids, analgesics, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs).
7. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 and iron can trigger the growth of ulcers.
8. Tobacco is a major cause of mouth ulcers, so smokers are more prone to develop recurrent mouth ulcers. Alcohol also triggers mouth ulcers by disrupting the absorption of nutrients in the system.
9. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sore) is the most common cause of recurrent mouth ulcers. This condition causes the recurrent formation of oral ulcers for unknown reasons.
10. Xerostomia is a feeling of a dry mouth that is often associated with the decreased functionality of salivary glands. This prevents lubrication of the mucous membranes and due to excessive dryness in the mouth, lesions can appear inside the mouth.
11. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) also causes mouth ulcers as a symptom of the herpes infection.
Other factors that can contribute to the occurrence of recurrent mouth ulcers are:
Poor oral hygiene
Diabetes
Emotional stress
Dermatological causes like lichen planus, lupus erythematosus.
Products containing SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Gastrointestinal causes like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Epithelial atrophy that makes the lining more fragile and easily breached.
Radiation-induced stomatitis is more common after radiotherapy. It can cause mucosal erosions and ulcerations on the lower jaw.
Vesiculobullous Diseases lead to the development of vesicles and bullae formation on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which tend to be fragile and quickly break down. These leave behind ulcers in the mouth.
Family tendency: Someone who has a family tendency of having recurrent mouth ulcers can be at high risk of developing it.
Hormonal changes: Due to hormonal changes that usually occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, some women tend to experience oral changes that include the development of canker sores or bleeding from the gums.
Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers feel like elevated areas inside the mouth, on areas like the inner cheeks, inside of the lips, under or on the tongue, and the sides of the tongue. Some common signs of a mouth ulcer include:
Yellow discoloration of the elevated area with the surrounding reddened edges. These can sometimes be coated with a white or milky lining.
Swelling inside the cheeks or the lips
Bleeding from the ulcers
Dryness in the mouth
Offensive odor from the mouth
Some common symptoms of recurrent mouth ulcers include:
Pain: Pain can range from mild to moderate or even severe and it depends completely on the individual case
Discomfort: These can cause significant discomfort in eating, drinking or even while talking
Tenderness of the affected area
Burning sensation in the mouth
Tingling in the affected area
Warmth and dryness of the mouth with increased thirst
Excessive salivation
Irritation of the sores by acidic, rough or dry foods






i got tongue ulcer for about 15 months. B-12 helps to reduced paint. i takes iron tablets also daily at night. i got relaxe by medicines but not cure completly. Fruits like orange, banana,apple, grapes , pineapple etc increase the pain and ulcer. vegetable like palak, bringel and the vetetable having iron more cause more paint and ulcer . what i should do.
I am having ulcer which start as a white dot on tounge or cheek in the mouth and it heels I a day or two days.I am also having problem of constipation and when ever I drink beer I am having the problem of ulcer and burning sensation in the mouth and having gas problem also.Pls suggest what to do.I have also shown to dentist and ent doctor but nothing benifit me for a long time
Dear Sir,
Greetings to you..
I am very prone to getting canker sores and it is very unbearable. But the frequency of ulcers increased frequently since 2012. I would request you to please advice some remedy to cure and avoid such occurence.
Thanking you.
Warm Regards
Lawrence Chettri
Dear Dr.Sharma
Hello Sir, i am Neera Nargis from Bangladesh.I am 48 years old woman and have married since 1991.We have no children.In 2005 ,my uterus and ovaries were removed.I have also hypothyroidism for last 5 years. My liver is fatty.And now, i am a diabetic patient.For last 2-3 years there was lichen planus in my mouth.I have visited doctors and have treatment both Allopathy and Homeopathy.But the problem of my mouth , tongue and teeth is increasing.
Sir , i am asking your advice and treatment.Please , give me reply and a treatment plan .Thaks a lot.
Neera Nargis.
Hello Dr Sharma.
I have severe gastroparesis. I can tolerate only liquid food. I feel very heavy after a few sips, lots of burps and acid. Regurgitation no stop. Can you help with homeopathy?
I AM SUFFERING FROM MOUTH ULCERS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. I HAVE TRIED ALL MEDICINES INCLUDING ALOPATHIC,AYUERVEDIC,NATURAPATHIC,UNANI AND HOMEOPATHIC. ALL GIVE TEMPORARY RELIEF BUT NO PERMANENT SOLUTION. AT PRESENT I AM ON SULFER 30CH AND GOR SOME RELIEF FOR A WEEK. HOWEVER, AFTER A WEEK NOW I HAVE SEVERAL ULCERS IN THE MOUTH.
PLEASE SUGGEST WHETHER TO CONTINUE SULFER 30CH .
WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR EARLY RESPONSE.
REGARDS,
SURURY FROM CALGARY-CANADA.
Sir,
I have aphthous condition of throat that feel to extend downwards.& the stomach is also disturbed. There is heartburn & the taste is so bitter. The aphthea are also on tongue that returns after some days repeatedly.Sometimes the throat & tongue are covered with the ulcers after taking too much tea. So please prescribe the remedy so that i can get rid off these blisters or ulcers.
I am having recurring problem oof mouth ulcers. Every year after the rainy season I get mouth ulcers for 3to4 months for the last 4 years .I have dental problem.
I am suffering with mouth ???? ulcer. It’s a small boils in my mouth. Pls. suggest a Homeopathy medicine name. It is coming again again.
About Mouth ulcer treatment. I m suffering from mouth ulcer very long time it means 7 or 8 years.sir give me yr guide line .
Dear sir
I am suffering from mouth ulcer for the last one year I tried allopathic aaurvedic medicine but temporary relief .l tried homeopathic for some time ,I was given Modorhium 200 and pulsatilla for a week I felt better for two days but now again I have the same condistion too much ulcer in mouth please suggest some good homeopathic medicine
Thanks
I am 65 years old fare lady
Please help
My son which is 1yrs. got mouth wound/ulcers and light fever and water is coming from the mouth and unable to eat.hiw i can remedy my son..pliz sugest me…
Dear Sir,
I am Sanjay Kumar Singh from Varanasi U. P. East, India. I have suffered with mouth ulcers nearly 6 years past. Now my mouth is not open more than 1inch and the colour of upper skin layer has been white into my whole mouth . And sometimes chhale comes out into my mouth.
Therefore I request you to suggest me proper treatment or homeopathy medicine to get rid of it.
Please reply soon sir!
Thanks & Regards
Sanjay Kumar Singh
Varanasi U. P. East
India.
dear sir, i am suffering from recurrent aphthous stomatitis since 3 years and i have tried colchicine tablets for one year but then its stops to effect. some doctors says it is immuno vascular type problem. the only salt which respond with ulcers is deflazacort but i cannot continue for long time. sir it is very rare when my mouth frees from ulcer. sir please suggest me.
doctor,i have many painful ulcers in my mouth which frequently occurs.please tell me its treatment.thank you.
My mouth is not open properly its pain when i chew or eat any heavy thing . Its open oy 1.5 and 2 inch.kindky suggest what i do
Dear Doctor,
I am 53 old , facing mouth ulcers frequently, getting cured , then after two to three days again coming.
Like that , i am facing last five years till now.
please advise what to do ? To overcome the issues once for all.
Mujey cervical problem na chala jata ha na hi khara hova jata ha bht si medican istamal kr chuka ho kabhi chakar bhi aa jatey ha plz koi medican bataiye thanks
Thanks for recommending Merc Sol(30 C.
Is is true that number of drops taken in water does not make any difference. 10 drops or 1 drop, its all the same. Instructions for taking 15 drops in water is just to sell more bottles.
Respected Sir,
I’m 22 years old. I’m suffering from a mouth ulcer(6-7mm) in length from last 4 month. have little pain it is a serious problem??
plzz reply and help me.. by giving me proper suggestion.
Thanking you